Speak, tweet and drink up!

As the annual meeting approaches, here we offer a few tips for those who want to get their research noticed and take part in the on-site and online discussions

BY ANGELA HOPP

Experimental Biology 2012 is just over a month away, so this is a good time to start gearing up for the science communication fest that it promises to be. The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting has a couple of scicomm events planned, and it’s more important than ever for researchers to engage in the vibrant discussions continuously happening on social media channels.

Public affairs programming For those looking for a more formal venue in which to learn more about how to share science with the public, the ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee has organized a session for 12:30 p.m. April 23. “Effectively Communicating Your Science” will feature Nobel laureate Paul Berg, National Public Radio science correspondent Joe Palca, science communicator Megan J. Palmer and Huffington Post science correspondent Cara Santa Maria. Moderated by ASBMB President-elect Jeremy Berg, the panel will discuss how to get through to challenging audiences and make the best case for long-term investment in science.

Informal science communication mixer at brewery Meanwhile, the society has partnered with the San Diego Biotechnology Network for an informal tweetup for those interested in mingling with media types, public speakers and various online personae. “Brewing Science” will be held at 7:30 p.m. April 23 at the Mission Brewery, 1441 L Street, near the convention center. Come have a drink and some good conversation.

#EB2012: Don’t forget to use it! While we’re on the topic of tweeting, meeting attendees who feel compelled to comment on Twitter should use the #EB2012 hashtag so that their quips are indexed and retweetable. If you tag @ASBMB in your tweet, we’ll do our best to retweet you to our followers. If Twitter isn’t your thing, we’ll also be broadcasting on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/asbmb. So, make sure to become a fan and ping us if we can be of any assistance.

The time is now to do a little PR There’s just enough time left for you to work with your institution’s media relations office on a press release about the research you’ll be sharing at the meeting. If you’re not sure how to get the ball rolling, visit ASBMB Today at http://bit.ly/zQghRK for a handy guide that we published this time last year. There is so much incredible science at the annual meeting that it’s impossible for reporters to cover the event adequately without the help of press releases. So, do yourself, your institution and ASBMB a favor, and help get the word out about your great work. If you send a copy of your press release to media@faseb.org by April 1, our media relations team will include it in the ASBMB materials that reporters who visit the on-site press room receive.

Down for blogging? Lastly, applications are now being accepted for official EB2012 bloggers. ASBMB is sponsoring several slots for members with prior science blogging experience. Official meeting bloggers will receive complimentary press registration, entry to the press room and access to all scientific sessions of the six sponsoring societies. Apply now at http://bit.ly/A5iyo4! The deadline is March 15. Contact Angela Hopp at ahopp@asbmb.org for more information.